All 8 Uses

probation
in
The Lost Boy
(Edited)

In the last two days I've had calls from the school, the police, juvenile probation, your father and that mother of yours.
Chpt 6

probation = department that tracks people who must meet special conditions to stay out of prison
"Because you have a probation officer now: Gordon Hutchenson," Lilian replied, as she shook her head, trying to remain on track.
Chpt 7

probation officer = a person who monitors a criminal who does not have to be in prison as long as they demonstrate good behavior and obey special restrictions
The counselors write behavior reports on you that are turned in to your probation officer.
Chpt 7 *
Before Gordon could even hush me, the judge rubbed his temples and asked, "Juvenile probation?"
Chpt 7

probation = department that tracks people who must meet special conditions to stay out of prison
Probation recommends continued monitoring and consultation from a different psychiatrist.
Chpt 7
So, you've been talking to my probation officer, and he still hasn't seen me?
Chpt 9

probation officer = a person who monitors a criminal who does not have to be in prison as long as they demonstrate good behavior and obey special restrictions
I stayed at juvenile hall for a few weeks until my new probation officer, Mrs. O'Ryan, placed me with John and Linda Walsh, a young couple in their 20s who had three kids.
Chpt 9
Finally, after an explosive argument I called Mrs. O'Ryan, my probation officer, and begged her to move me, even if it meant returning to The Hill.
Chpt 9

Definitions:

(1) (probation)
a period of time when a person is being tested or watched to see if they meet certain expectations or follow rules
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
In archaic literature, probation can be used to mean "proof" or "demonstration."